experience of social stigma in AIDS patients: a phenomenological study

Background: AIDS is one of the most challenging diseases in recent years that can influence quality of life and even survival rate of AIDS patients due to the wrong thoughts and social stigma that exists among society in relation to these patients. This study aimed to describe the social stigma experienced by AIDS patients

Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, the phenomenological procedure was utilized. The population under study was 13 AIDS patients who were selected on a purposebased sampling approach, and selection continued until saturation of the data occurred. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi procedure. The validity and reliability of study was based on its real value, practicality, continuity and reality

Results: After analysis of interview transcripts, the most extracted sub-concepts were as follows: inappropriate labels, rejection, worthlessness and lack of support which all named under the main concept of stigma

Conclusions: This study showed that AIDS patients experience a wide range of problems after the other people find out about their disease and also due to the social stigma about them. In the process of caring of AIDS patients, it should be taken into consideration not only the physical needs, but also the spiritualmental and social needs of these patients. Being familiar with the stigma experienced by AIDS patients helps the nursing team to present necessary cares and instructions, and promote the quality of life and survival rate of AIDS patients. Raising society's awareness and changing of the attitudes regarding AIDS patient should be taken into account as essential and undeniable issues

Knowledge and behavior of primary school teachers towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

School teachers in Bahrain have never received any educational programs about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] except for a workshop which was conducted for primary school social supervisors in 2005. To evaluate the knowledge of primary school teachers of ADHD, attitude and behavior towards ADHD students. Cross-Sectional study. Primary Schools in Bahrain. One hundred fifty-eight randomly selected governmental primary school teachers completed the questionnaire about knowledge and attitude towards ADHD. Eighty-four [53.2%] of the teachers were knowledgeable about ADHD. Their main sources of knowledge about ADHD were newspapers and magazines. Teachers' Knowledge of ADHD was found to be less than optimal

effect of aromatherapy massage on the fatigue severity in women with multiple sclerosis

Background and Purpose: Fatigue is one of the most common signs in Multiple Sclerosis, affecting the quality of life. Regarding the higher cost of drug therapies and their numerous side effects, the use of complementary and alternative medicines for these patients is on the rise. The present study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy massage on fatigue severity in women with Multiple Sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 36 women with Multiple Sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling, and each received a 20-minute Effleurage massage 3 times a week, for 4 consecutive weeks. Data analysis was done in SPSS 16 using paired t-test, Student t-test and ANOVA

Results: The mean score of fatigue severity before intervention was 49, which turned to be 29.37 after intervention. The statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between fatigue severity scores before and after intervention [p<0.0001]

Conclusion: Applying aromatherapy massage for patients with Multiple Sclerosis decreases the fatigue severity

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of Ammi visnaga

In continuation of our earlier studies[1, 2, 3] the standardization of raw plant materials, the present study includes the morphological anatomical characteristics of the fruits along with the determination of physico-chemical constants, phytochemical screening. U V, IR, TLC, HPLC and GC-MS finger printing of different extractives of the powder of fruits of Ammi visnaga. The morpho-anatomical characteristics and results of the different chemical protocols would surely serve as a standard reference for identification of Ammi visnaga fruits

[Evaluating correlation between NRBC count and fetal distress]

Nucleated red blood cells [NRBC] are occasionally observed in blood of newborns and some recent studies have reported of a relationship between NRBC count and fetal distress and hypoxia. To investigate the correlation between NRBC count and fetal distress. This was a case-control study conducted at Kosar medical centre in Qazvin, Iran. During a 6-month period in 2005, fifty women of unifetal pregnancy at third trimester of their gestation were chosen and the NRBC counts of their newborns who suffered fetal distress [case group] were evaluated. The control group composed of 100 women at their third trimester of pregnancy whose fetuses showed no sign of any distress. Data were analyzed using X2 and t test. The mean NRBC count in fetal distress group was 2406.6 +/- 2470.7 and in control group 673.43 +/- 709.9. Statistically, increased NRBC count in fetal distress group was found to be significant [p=0.000]. NRBC count in fetal distress group was significantly increased hence it could be used as a marker to evaluate the fetal distress and hypoxia in infants

[Comparison of the accuracy of diagnostic criteria of behcet's disease in children]

Different criteria for Behcet's diagnosis reveal that there isn't still consensus about the definition of this syndrome. Although a comprehensive study about the accuracy, the sensitivity and specificity of seven different types of diagnostic criteria for Behcet's disease in children, Ras not been performed we planned this study to compare these criteria in the Iranian children with Behcet's disease. Two random samples were selected from the patients less than 16 years of age referring to the Behcet's clinic of rheumatology research center. 177 children had definite diagnosis of Behcet's disease after being visited by the three professors of rheumatology experienced in Behcet's syndrome. Control group were children suspected to have Behcet's disease but it was ruled out. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each of the Behcet's criteria were calculated. Mean age in Behcet's children was 13.6 years and in control group was 12.8 years. In the patients group female to male ratio was 1.1 and in the control group it was 1.3. Sensitivity of different criteria was as follow: Manson and Bames 55.1%, 0' Duffy 60.7%, International criteria 71.9%, Japan criteria 90.4%, Dilsen criteria 79.8%, Iran criteria 93.8%, and Iranian classification tree 94.4%. Specificity of the criteria was as following; M and B 99.5%, O Duffy 99.5%, International 100%, Japan 96.2%, Dilsen 94.6%, Iran 96.2%, classification tree 96.2%. Although some of the researchers believe that current diagnostic criteria of Behcet's diseases due to establishment on the adults clinical data, is not appropriate for children; our study revealed that the current seven Adult BD criteria are reliable and accurate in children too

intra-uterine missed abortion with a simultaneous tubal ectopic pregnancy

A case of heterotopic pregnancy is reported. This case was a 25 years old woman with a chief complain of vaginal bleeding which was spotting in following pregnancy after using clomiphene. An ultra-sonography report showed a missed abortion about 8 weeks of gestation. After a few days, she returned with an acute abdomen. A tubal pregnancy with a missed abortion was suggested as a differential diagnosis. Laparatomy and D and C were performed. Pathologic report also confirmed simultaneous intra-uterine and extra-uterine pregnancy within recent years. The use of reproductive technology and ovulation stimulation has increased the prevalence of this type of rare pregnancy. Thus, heterotopic pregnancy should be considered in the presence of ectopic pregnancy signs and symptoms even if a normal intra-uterine pregnancy was confirmed

[Prevalence of lung involvement due to rheumatoid arthritis based on clinical, radiographic and pulmonary functions test]

Background: Pulmonary involvement is a common and serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis. This cross sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of pulmonary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of history, physical examination, chest X-ray and PFT

Materials and Methods: 103 patients [81 Women, 22 Men] fulfilling the ACR [American College of Rheumatology] criteria for RA [Rheumatoid arthritis] were consecutively included in a cross sectional study. Detailed medical [including respiratory symptoms and the disease activity symptoms] and drug and occupational histories and smoking were obtained. All patients underwent a complete pulmonary and rheumatologic examination and conventional chest radiography. All patients underwent PFT that comprised spirometry and body plethysmography. Results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height

Results: On the basis of history: Their mean age was 43.3 +/- 2.6 years [range: 17-74] and the mean duration of the disease was 69.3 +/- 15.6 months. Rheumatoid factor was positive in% 61.2. No patients were 0.5Pack/Year smoker in whole life. Prevalence of pulmonary involvement based on radiographic and pulmonary function test detected in 41 patients [39/7%]. The most frequent respiratory clinical finding was dyspnea [33%], [NYHA grade I in 17.5% and NYHA grade II in 15.5%], Cough [with or without sputum] in 13.6 %, Crackle was the most sign in pulmonary examination [5.8%]. Chest X-ray was abnormal in 13.3 % that the most common finding in this study was reticulonodular pattern in 20 patients [19.4 %], and pleural effusion detected in 7 patients [6.7%]. PFT was abnormal in 30 patients [29.1 %]. A significant decrease of FEF 25%-75% below 1.64 SD. Small airway involvements was the most abnormal finding of PFT. No relation between rheumatoid arthritis disease activity [ESR>30, Morning stiffness>30', Anemia, thrombocytosis] with pulmonary disease was seen

Conclusion: This study suggests a high prevalence of lung involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore we recommend a complete investigation in patients with RA with any respiratory symptom